Camera IconAnnaliese Battista is moving to a new position in Queensland.Picture: The West Australian

A high-profile City of Perth executive who raised concerns the capital city was an unsafe workplace has quit for a job in tourism.

Economic Development and Activation director Annaliese Battista has been appointed Gold Coast Tourism chief executive. Ms Battista resigned on Friday and is expected to start her new job in August.

Her departure comes at a time of uncertainty for the City.

Perth council was suspended in March after a chaotic period in which three people — one of them Ms Battista — served as chief executive in less than two weeks.

Ms Battista’s short-lived appointment as acting chief executive was championed by a group of councillors not aligned with lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi as part of a wider push to give elected members more of a say on who held the role while the permanent chief executive Martin Mileham, was absent.

Within days of the meeting that resulted in Ms Battista’s appointment, Local Government Minister David Templeman suspended the council. Mr Mileham, who had been on stress leave, has since returned to the role.

Ms Battista is understood to have raised concerns about bullying and poor conduct at the City last year.

Allegations of bullying are expected to be investigated by an inquiry into the City.

The commissioners charged with running the council while it is suspended have announced plans for a review into the City’s corporate performance and culture.

Mr Mileham confirmed yesterday that Ms Battista had resigned. Her leaving date has yet to be finalised.

“This is an outstanding career progression opportunity for Ms Battista and the City supports her decision and wishes her well,” he said.

The well-regarded Ms Battista has previously worked at the WA Local Government Association, the City of Subiaco and the Royal Australian Air Force.